Helping elderly people use satnavs on their smartphones can help keep their driving independence for longer, research suggests. A study, funded by the Government, has shown pensioners using satnavs or smartphone such as Waze or Maps tended to drive more frequently.

Researchers say their findings based on 895 drivers with an average age of 71 suggest the helps people stay on the roads longer as they age. The experts say that as we age a worsening sense of direction means we rely more on help from GPS navigation systems.

Senior author Prof Michael Hornberger, from the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Driving is usually the preferred mode of transport among older adults, and it can be vital for maintaining independence, quality of life, wellbeing, and cognitive health as we age.

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“But age-related cognitive decline means that people might experience worsening spatial abilities, leading them to drive less and less. Because we have an ageing population, it’s really important to understand the factors that keep older people on the road, driving safely for longer.”

Participants reported how often and how far they drive as well as how they use GPS navigation devices. The study also completed online cognitive tests assessing their memory and spatial abilities. The team then analysed the relationship between how people use GPS with their driving mobility and cognitive performance.

Lead author Dr Sol Morrissey, from UEA’s School of Health Sciences, added: “We know that using a Sat Nav system can alleviate the cognitive demands of navigation when driving, particularly when visiting less familiar destinations. And this technology has become increasingly popular among older drivers. We wanted to better understand how using GPS navigation systems helps older people on the roads.”

Prof Hornberger added: “We found that a considerable majority of older drivers use navigation assistance at least for some journeys, and commonly for the entire journey to a new destination.

“Older people with a poorer sense of direction rely more on satnavs. But the really important thing we found is that those who use GPS tend to drive more frequently than those who do not, suggesting that these tools help mitigate against spatial orientation difficulties and help maintain driving mobility.

“This means that if we support older drivers with using GPS navigation, it could really help maintain their driving independence – keeping them on the roads safely for longer.”

The research was in collaboration with the University of Exeter, Oxford Brookes University, Chester Wellness Centre and the University of Leeds. It was funded by the Department for Transport.